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Uptight

  • 1968
  • M
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Uptight (1968)
DramaThriller

In this landmark collaboration between activist and actress Ruby Dee and director Jules Dassin, Black revolutionaries are betrayed by one of their own. Based on the 1935 classic "The Informe... Read allIn this landmark collaboration between activist and actress Ruby Dee and director Jules Dassin, Black revolutionaries are betrayed by one of their own. Based on the 1935 classic "The Informer."In this landmark collaboration between activist and actress Ruby Dee and director Jules Dassin, Black revolutionaries are betrayed by one of their own. Based on the 1935 classic "The Informer."

  • Director
    • Jules Dassin
  • Writers
    • Jules Dassin
    • Ruby Dee
    • Julian Mayfield
  • Stars
    • Raymond St. Jacques
    • Ruby Dee
    • Frank Silvera
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jules Dassin
    • Writers
      • Jules Dassin
      • Ruby Dee
      • Julian Mayfield
    • Stars
      • Raymond St. Jacques
      • Ruby Dee
      • Frank Silvera
    • 20User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos93

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    Top Cast35

    Edit
    Raymond St. Jacques
    Raymond St. Jacques
    • B.G.
    Ruby Dee
    Ruby Dee
    • Laurie
    Frank Silvera
    Frank Silvera
    • Kyle
    Roscoe Lee Browne
    Roscoe Lee Browne
    • Clarence
    Julian Mayfield
    • Tank
    Janet MacLachlan
    Janet MacLachlan
    • Jeannie
    Max Julien
    Max Julien
    • Johnny
    Juanita Moore
    Juanita Moore
    • Mama Wells
    Dick Anthony Williams
    Dick Anthony Williams
    • Corbin
    • (as Richard Williams)
    Michael Baseleon
    Michael Baseleon
    • Teddy
    John Wesley
    John Wesley
    • Larry
    • (as John Wesley Rodgers)
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    • Rick
    • (as Jitu Cumbuka)
    Ketty Lester
    • Alma
    Robert DoQui
    Robert DoQui
    • Street Speaker
    James McEachin
    James McEachin
    • Mello
    Kirk Kirksey
    Errol Jaye
    Isabel Cooley
    Isabel Cooley
    • Director
      • Jules Dassin
    • Writers
      • Jules Dassin
      • Ruby Dee
      • Julian Mayfield
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    7.31.2K
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    Featured reviews

    8ericbell

    Very Good Movie

    I saw this movie when it was first released with my girlfriend (later, my wife). I would love to see it again but it seems to have disappeared. Not only can't I find a copy of this movie, I can't find anyone else who has seen it. If I did not have the sound track, I would start questioning if I saw it or not.

    It was not a "great" movie but much better than many of the Black subject movies made at that time. I also saw the "Informer" from which this was taken but I prefer "Up Tight". I hope someone re-releases this movie. A generation has passed without anyone knowing that several "large", named stars acted in this largely unknown movie.
    8mark-pearce-1

    Great movie -Must be found.

    I recall seeing Uptight when it came out. I was in high school. This was promoted very much like the Blaxploitation movies of the period, but it had much more substance and message. The plot line taken from the John Ford movie the Informer, adapts well to the political climate of the sixties for inner city African Americans. The cast was exceptional. Many like Ruby Dee, Raymond St. Jacques and Dick Anthony Williams came out of theater. These talents were important for this piece, as the movie is driven more by the the drama and conflict than action scenes. I was taken with the movie but I know that much of the nuance was lost on me because of my age at the time. I'd love to see it again. I believe that if it were found, a revival would have much appeal.
    7gracron-1

    A lost film that deserves to be found

    I was a young man of 30 years when I went to see this film. At the time I thought that the acting was fine and the theme of the movie was brave. The choice of actors were superb. The nakedness of emotion and tenderness of soul pervades this film on a gut level that speaks to the maverick sense that inhabits us all. Over the years hence because of the ways of the world it has stuck in my mind and gained strength. Even though it is a remake of the 1935 film, "The Informer" with Victor McLaglen, I think that political science majors may get more out of this movie than the regular movie buff. I have two copies of the musical sound track by Booker T & the MGs and I have found it to be a powerhouse in rendering this film.
    8phlpreed

    very good movie with serious political commentary

    I too saw this movie when it first came out. I was in college and involved in the student movement for more multi-cultural curriculum on campus. The movie was right on target and sensationally provocative at the time. At the end of the movie, just when you think there will be a political cop out in the story line, you're mistaken. The movie follows through on its no holds barred depiction of African American life in the USA at the time. It also depicts accurately how the 'black power' movement was resonating very powerfully in the countries urban ghettos. It is a terrific movie with a fabulous cast.A few years after seeing the movie I became very friendly with one of its stars, Raymond St. Jacques, he told me that "nobody could find a copy of the movie, not even Jules Dassin", it director. Many people felt that the movie industry and "gov't" had moved to squelch the showing of this film. It is curious that no one seems to be able to find a print of this film. Finally the sound track is amazing. Booker T of the MGs created just the right propulsive tension to capture the story's essence. I still listen to the sound track because the songs have such a great groove.
    8rondd5

    ...A true classic

    ...this was actually a great movie...it was made during a tumultuous time in urban black America and it reflected the conflict...outstanding performances from max julien (don't want to even HEAR about the mack) this was a real blood and soul performance..raymond st. Jacques, ruby dee, dick williams, frank silvera, roscoe lee brown...this was a tremendous movie with a heart and soul you just don't see...if you ever, EVER, get a chance to see this....do it. There would not be many movies that combined intelligence and substance for numerous black actors and actresses in the same setting. Way ahead of it's time. These folks were truly inspired, hats off to the director (Jules Dassen) for creating a lasting work..

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    Related interests

    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Producer/director Jules Dassin wanted to remake The Informer (1935) with an all-black cast, set in inner-city America. The original Liam O'Flaherty story was based on the Irish rebellion against the English in the early 1920s. Dassin felt it mirrored black-white relations in the US in the 1960s.
    • Quotes

      Kyle's associate: Damn, I've known you since you were a baby. I don't recognize you no more.

      Jeannie: You can't! I'm off my knees now. I like my man with a gun.

      Kyle's associate: Jeannie, the nonviolent program...

      B.G.: Is dead! Killed by white violence, April 4th, 1968 in Memphis.

      Kyle: The man who died...

      B.G.: Was murdered! As were four little girls in Sunday school house. As was Medgar Evers, and after him, 47 others. Now how many of their killers went to jail? Nobody. That's over! We gotta make them know that every time they even *think* of picking up a gun against a Black man, there's a black gun waiting for them!

      Kyle: That's not the way, B.G. You'll bring the whole military machine down on our heads! You, you will be the excuse for fascism in this country! You'll bring on the camps.

      B.G.: Well, what the hell do you think we got now?

      Kyle: Then you have no idea what it could be. I don't hate you, B.G. I don't want to see you in a camp. I don't want to see you killed. And I don't want to see you responsible for other people being killed.

      Corbin: Now you listen: when you're born Black in this country, you're born dead. Don't talk to us about being killed. We know about that. You're an honest man, Kyle. Go ahead, have your meeting. Nobody's gonna bother you. You go get those bills passed. Bills the whites won't obey, anyway. You do your thing, and we'll do ours. But get this straight: I don't know about a revolution without arms, and I don't know about a revolution that doesn't punish its enemies.

    • Connections
      Featured in Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Johnny, I Love You
      Written and performed by Booker T. Jones

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    FAQ13

    • How long is Uptight?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 28, 1968 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Betrayal
    • Filming locations
      • Cleveland, Ohio, USA
    • Production company
      • Marlukin
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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